Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group is expanding its footprint in the European small modular reactor (SMR) market with a new Teaming Agreement (TA) signed in Estonia. This agreement follows earlier collaborations in Romania and Sweden, strengthening Samsung C&T’s position in next-generation nuclear energy projects.
The signing of the TA between Samsung C&T E&C Group and Fermi Energia was held during the Energy Mission Conference in Seoul. This agreement is regarded as a significant milestone in Estonia’s journey toward introducing nuclear power, and Samsung C&T is expected to play a key role in shaping the project as a strategic partner from the early stages.
The initiative not only reflects Estonia’s growing interest in next-generation nuclear solutions, but also highlights Samsung C&T E&C Group’s growing presence in the European nuclear landscape.
Laying the Groundwork for Estonia’s First SMR
Through the newly signed Teaming Agreement, Samsung C&T E&C Group is taking on a central role in launching Estonia’s first SMR project. The agreement positions the Group as a key contributor to the project’s early development.
Samsung C&T E&C Group will participate from the conceptual design (Pre-FEED) to the basic engineering design (FEED) stage, overseeing essential tasks such as site evaluation, cost estimation, and project planning. The SMR technology selected for the project is the BWRX-300 model, developed by GE Hitachi. With commercial operation targeted for 2035, the initiative is set to become a milestone in Estonia’s energy transition.
The Group’s early-stage involvement highlights its expanding role in Europe’s evolving nuclear energy landscape and its capability to support next-generation infrastructure from the ground up.
Building on Momentum: Ongoing SMR Projects in Romania and Sweden
Romania:
Samsung C&T E&G Group is currently engaged in the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage of a 462 MW SMR project in partnership with NuScale Power and Romania’s Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica (SNN). The project aims to repurpose a decommissioned coal-fired power plant, with commercial operation targeted for 2030. Based on NuScale’s advanced SMR technology—the first to be certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission—the project marks a key step in Romania’s energy transition.
Sweden:
In 2024, the Group signed an MOU with Kärnfull Next AB to jointly develop Sweden’s first SMR power plant, targeted for completion by 2032. The facility is expected to provide reliable power to the country’s growing data center industry, with delivery through direct or indirect power purchase agreements (PPAs). Kärnfull Next has already identified preliminary construction sites in southeastern Sweden and is working to advance environmental and technical reviews.
Strategic Vision: Becoming a Key SMR Player in Europe
Samsung C&T E&C Group’s involvement in SMR projects across Estonia, Romania, and Sweden reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to support the development of low-carbon energy infrastructure. Each project aligns with the national energy strategy of each country, contributing to more resilient energy systems.
As SMRs continue to emerge as a flexible and scalable alternative to traditional nuclear power, the Group is steadily broadening its participation in early-stage project development, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of next-generation nuclear solutions.
Looking Ahead
“We aim to strengthen our global position as an SMR player through the successful execution of Estonia’s first SMR project,” said Jeong-eun Kim, Senior Vice President of the Nuclear Business Team.
With momentum building across Estonia, Romania, and Sweden, Samsung C&T E&C Group is continuing to explore opportunities that align with evolving energy needs and technological advancements in the nuclear sector.
